Machine and method for magnetically turning springs in pockets



5, 1952 R. H. STEVENS 2,605,947

MACHINE AND METHOD FOR MAGNETICALLY TURNING SPRINGS IN POCKETS Filed June 29, 1948 2 Sl-IEETSSHEET l IN V ENTOR.

Aug. 5, 19 R. H. STEVENS MACHINE AND METHOD FOR MAGNETICALLY TURNING SPRINGS IN POCKETS 2 SHEETSSHEET 2 Filed June 29, 1948 INVENTOR. FQZe/Z h, 52 6/5/75 Patented Aug. 5, 1952 TUNE TED STATES ll IAGHINE. AN-DUMETH OD EORTMEGNETI- .CALLYiTU-RNING SPRINGS; POCKETS.

' 'RobertHfistevensg Detroit,1Mich;;assignor;to.The "Murray corporation of America,-;Detroit, .ltiiiehs azcorpora-tion:ofDelaware inpplicationklunefis, 1948, Serial No. 35,793

ll lclaims. (Cl'.%226-.-.18)

1 This inventionrelates-'tospring turningmeans, "and? particularly to a'machineand method for turning springs from a' position crosswise of a 7" fabric pockets are utilized for formingthe spring supporting portion oftthe cushion. To provide "sufficient material at theopen ends of the pockets, the springs areplaced therein. in compressed position crosswise of thezpocket audit is necessary after the stitching operationUto manipulate'the jspringsto turn them from a crosswise. to a lengthwise position. Heretofore this was done byhan'd, the springs being individually turned in: the .pocket, which required quite a degree of skill. and which was extremely costly.

"The present invention pertains. to a machine through which the stripsof material having the "pockets and springs therein are'fedto beoper- ""atedon" by" one 'or' a plurality' of "sets of electric 'ma-gnets having 1 pole shoes disposed in such a position as to" cause" the spring to rotate within the pocket '90" from a position"crosswisewhereof to a position lengthwise thereof.

'In the machine herein illustrated, means are;

-provided for engaging at least one-' edge of the strips for advancing the fabric and springs 1 through a tunnel between thepole shoes and for holding the fabric-material from turning '-:with the springs when the' springs =-are turned :by:themagneticfield. Theplurality of sets of magnets and pole shoes: areillustrated so that .if tin; assing throughone 'magnetic field the .spring'for some' reasonxdoes not completely turn atoibe'capableof expanding intoa' position length- "'-WiS8'.Oflth6 pocket, this would occur for a cerzvtainty" whenspassing-through one :or' the other adjacent fields.

. :Accordingly,;.'the: main objects of the invention ":are i..to; provide. a::devi-cev for turning the springs.

in adjacent fabric pockets from a-position cross- :wisetthereof to one lengthwise thereof ytopro- .vide a magnetic: field disposed at an :angle to the ::'axis1of:a spring for causing the spring towturn to a; position with the axis parallel tothe -fieldf so that "it can expand to-a position lengthwise'of *a pocket containing the spring; to provide means ,for-engaging one edge 'of-a fabric having aplurality of pockets containing coil springs disposed crosswise thereof for advancing the fabrima'nd springs through one or a pluralityof magnetic fields'disposed at-anangle to the axis of the springs for turning the springs to permit them to expand into a position lengthwise of the pockets; and, in general, to provide a device and method for turning springs in pockets whichis simple in construction;positive-in operation-"and economical of manufacture.

Other objects and features ofinovelty of the invention will be.specifically'pointed out or" will become apparent when referring;v fora better un .derstanding of the invention, to thefollowingdescription taken in conjunctionWiththeaccompanying drawings; wherein;

" Figural is-aplan view of a devicefor turning "springs'inf fabric pockets embodying features of this invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional viewof the structure illustrated in'Fig. 1, taken onthe line 22 f thereof .Fig. 3 isadiagrammatical view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 isa diagrammatical viewof structure, similar .to. that illustrated in- Fig. .3, showing a further form thereof;

vFig. 5 isa diagrammatical view of; structure,

similar-tothat illustratedin Figs-.1 3. and 4;. showing a stillfurther form of the invention;

. Fig. 6 is a broken plan1viewxof fabricgmaterial having pockets therein :containing. springs idisposed crosswise of the pockets;

Fig. '7 isv a sectional viewof theistructureiillustrated in Fig. 6;

"Fig. 8. is .a view. of'structure, similar to that illustrated: in Fig.5 6,: with the springs disposed lengthwise'of the pockets after the turning'operation and :Fig. 9iis a sectional view of the structureillus- :trated in Fig. 8, taken on the line 9-9 thereof.

In Figures 6 and 7, fabric material I0=is illustrated as being folded upon itselfand stitched along the lines II to form" pockets l2 in--which coil springs 13, tobe employed for making a cushion, are disposed. The coil springs are posi- ..tioned'crosswise in the pockets l2 to leave the open ends 14 of the pockets disposed some distance from the spring. so thatit may be stitched along a line =l5 for closing-the pockets. After the stitching operation, it is :necessaryto turn the 3 springs from a crosswise position, as illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7, to a position lengthwise thereof, as illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9, wherein the springs are expanded to a desired height. A plurality of the lengths of the fabric and springs are secured together to form a spring unit for the cushion. Substantial time was required for a skilled operator to turn each individual spring from the position crosswise of the pocket to a position lengthwise thereof.

The present invention pertains to the use of a magnetic field disposed at an angle'to the axis of the advancing springs to cause the springs to be rotated or tilted from a position crosswise of the pockets to an angular position from which the springs expand to a position lengthwise of the pockets.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, specifically, a device is therein illustrated embodying a table having a top I6 and a plurality of legs I! for supporting a housing l8 which forms a tunnel l9 through which the fabric material H), containing the pockets and springs, as illustrated in Fig. 6, may be advanced. The top l6 and housing [8 are preferably made of nonmagnetic materials so as not to influence the magnetic field imposed thereon. The ends of the top l6 support a pair of V pulleys 2| and 22 for driving a belt 23, with the upper part thereof passing through the tunnel l9 and the lower part thereof passing thereunder. The top of the belt is provided with a plurality of pointed hooks 24 over which the fabric ends 25 beyond the line of stitching may be secured.

The tunnel has along one edge thereof an upstanding flange 26 for retaining the belt within a channel 27 formed thereby along one edge of the tunnel. A shaft 28 drives the pulley 22 from a pulley 29 connected by a belt 3| to a suitable source of power, such as by a motor, not herein illustrated. The shaft 28 is supported by a bearing 32 attached to the adjacent leg I! in a conventional manner.

One or a plurality of magnets 34 and 35 are supported by a plate 36 on the legs l1 and by a similar plate 3'! on brackets 38 attached to the legs I! on the opposite side of the device. The poles 4G and 4| of the magnets having coils 42 and 43 thereon are provided with pole shoes 44 and 45, respectively, which are disposed at opposite top and bottom corners of the tunnel I3, as illustrated more specifically in Figs. 2 and 3. The coils 42 and 43 are so wound as to produce an attractive force to the ends of the springs to cause the top of the spring to move to the right, as viewed in the figures, as the bottom of the spring is moved to the left. This turning or tilting movement is sufficient to cause the spring to be rotated an amount from which it may expand within the pockets to a position lengthwise thereof. The pins 24 hold the one edge of the fabric from turning with the spring, while the flange 26 prevents the belt and fabric from being drawn inwardly toward the center of the tunnel 19 due to the magnetic force acting upon the spring.

In Figure 1, five sets of magnets 34 and 35 are illustrated which permit rapid advancement of the fabric and springs therethrough. In case the magnetic field of the first set of magnets does not sufliciently turn the spring, the next adjacent set, or the set thereafter, will provide magnetic fields to operate upon the springs so that individual fields, theywill be disposed in lengthwise position of the pocket, as illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9 of the drawing.

In Fig. 4 a diagrammatic view of pole and pole pieces is illustrated which are similar to those of Fig. 3,'with the exception that the poles are aligned diagonally through the spring and the pole shoes 48 and 49 extend outwardly thereof to project over substantially one-half of the spring. The pole shoes exert a substantial turning moment'on the spring to cause it to be shifted within the pocket sufliciently to permit the tension of the spring to move it to a position lengthwise of the pocket.

In Fig. 5 a similar diagrammatic arrangement of pole shoes and magnet is illustrated, that wherein pole shoes 52 and 53 are disposed in out of aligned relation in opposite edges of the top and bottom of the spring. The pole shoes extend from a pole 54 disposed on an are therebetween on which a single coil 55 is provided. This provides a closed magnetic circuit about the spring which is capable of supplying a substantial energy to turn the spring within the pocket.

In any of the arrangements herein illustrated, the lengths of fabrics containing springs in pockets are fed through the tunnel l9 while holding the fabric and pockets against turning while the springs are turned by the flux of the magnetic field or fields when the springs are advanced therethrough. As pointed out hereinabove, several sets of magnets may be employed on the device so that the spring will be subjected to the flux of several magnetic fields as the strip of fabric is advanced therethrough to make certain that the springs are completely turned and nested within the pocket as it expands to a desired lengthwise position therein. While reference has been made herein to pockets which are formed and closed by stitching, it is to be understood that latex, glues and other adhering substances, known in the art to be suitable, may be utilized in place of the stitching for forming and/or closing the pockets.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for turning springs in fabric pockets adjacently disposed in a strip of material, embodying holding and advancing means for at least oneedge of the fabric to prevent it from turning when the springs are turned within the pockets, and an electromagnet providing a force disposed at an angle to the axis of the spring for causing the spring to turn within the pockets when passing through the field.

2. In a device for turning springs in pockets including, in combination, a supporting structure, means on the supporting structure for advancing the pockets and springs through the device, a set of magnets for producin a magnetic field disposed at an angle to the axis of the springs as the springs are advanced therethrough for turning the springs in the pockets.

3. In a device for turning springs in adjacent fabric pockets including, in combination, a supporting structure, means on the supporting structure for advancing the pockets and springs through the device, a plurality of sets of magnets for producing magnetic fields disposed at an angle to the axis of the springs as the springs are advanced therethrough for turning the springs in the pockets.

4. A device for operating on springs for turning them from a position crosswise to a position lengthwise of pockets disposed in strips of fabrics which includes, in combination, a supporting structure, a tunnel provided on the supporting structure, a belt driven from said supporting structure through said tunnel, means on said belt for engaging one edge of said fabric in which the springs are disposed in crosswise position for advancing the pockets through said tunnel and for holding the fabric against turning movement with the springs, and a set of magnets having pole pieces disposed adjacent to said opposite corners of said tunnel to provide a magnetic field so disposed as to cause opposite ends of the spring to be drawn toward the pole pieces to thereby turn the springs from said crosswise position so that the springs may expand to a position lengthwise of the pockets.

5. A device for operating on springs for turning them from a position crosswise to a position lengthwise of adjacent pockets provided in strips of fabric which includes, in combination, a supporting structure, a tunnel provided on the supporting structure, a belt driven from said supporting structure through said tunnel, means on said belt for engaging said fabric in which the springs are disposed in crosswise position for advancing the pockets through said tunnel and for holding the pockets against turning movement with the springs, a plurality of sets of magnets having pole pieces disposed adjacent to opposite corners of said tunnel to provide magnetic fields disposed at an angle to the axis of the springs for causing opposite ends of the springs to be drawn toward the pole pieces to thereby turn the springs from said crosswise position so that the springs may expand to a position lengthwise of the pockets.

6. In a device for turning springs from a crosswise position to a lengthwise position in adjacent pockets in a strip of fabric material including, in combination, supporting means, a tunnel carried by said supporting means, a continuous belt having one portion driven through said tunnel, fabric engaging means provided on said belt for advancing said fabric and springs through the tunnel and for holding the fabric when the springs are turned therein, and an electromagnet disposed adjacent to said tunnel for providing a magnetic field at an angle to the axis of the spring for causing opposite ends of the springs to be moved in opposite directions to thereby shift the springs within the pocket and permit them to expand into a position lengthwise of the pockets.

'7. In a device for turning springs from a crosswise position to a lengthwise position in adjacent pockets in a strip of fabric material including, in combination, supporting means, a tunnel carried by said supporting means, a continuous belt having one portion driven through said tunnel, fabric engaging means provided on said belt for advancing said fabric and springs through the tunnel and for holding the fabric when the springs are turned therein, and an electromagnet disposed adjacent to said tunnel for providing a magnetic field at an angle to the axis of rality of hooks having sharp ends over which the fabric is secured.

8. In a device for turning springs from a crosswise position to a lengthwiseposition in adjacent pockets in a strip of fabric material including, in combination, supporting means, a set of magnets carried by said supporting means having pole shoes disposed in spaced relation, a continuous belt having one portion driven through an area adjacent to said pole shoes, fabric engaging means provided on said belt for securing and advancing said fabric and springs through a magnetic field provided between said pole shoes and for holding the fabric when the springs are turned therein a sufiicient amount by said ma netic field to permit the springs to expand to a position lengthwise of the pockets.

9. The method of turning springs from a crosswise position to a lengthwise position in pockets in a fabric strip which includes the steps: of providing a magnetic field, of advancing the fabric material and springs through said magnetic field, and of holding said fabric material against substantial movement while the magnetic field causes the springs to turn within the pockets an amount to permit them to expand to a position lengthwise of the pockets.

10. The method of turning springs in pockets provided in fabric material which includes the steps: of providing a magnetic field disposed crosswise of the axis of the springs in the pockets, and of advancing the fabric and springs through the magnetic field which turns the springs a sufiicient amount to permit them to expand to a position lengthwise of the pockets.

11. The method of turning springs in pockets provided in fabric material which includes the steps: of providing a magnetic field disposed crosswise of the axis of the springs in the pockets, of advancing the fabric and springs through the magnetic field which turns the springs a sufiicient amount to permit them to expand to a position lengthwise of the pockets, and of retaining said fabric material against substantial movement laterally of said advancing movement during the turning of the springs.

ROBERT H. STEVENS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

